Syria"s food sector has exhibited a paradox of increased agricultural value but declining productivity. In 2015, agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed 33. 13% to the GDP—an increase from 19. 44% in 2010. However, cereal yields have decreased from 1,707. 7 kg/ha in 2009 to 1,905. 8 kg/ha in 2015, indicating a need to enhance productivity. Despite this, the sector’s value added in current US dollars plummeted from over $12 billion in 2009 to $5.

45 billion in 2015, reflecting economic pressures and inefficiencies. The food production index also decreased from 129. 61 in 2009 to 108. 01 in 2015, alongside a downward trend in livestock production. These declines are set against a backdrop of a shrinking rural population, decreasing from 9. 98 million in 2010 to 9. 29 million in 2015, and a negative annual growth rate of -5. 67%.

Employment in agriculture remains a critical component, yet its share of total employment slightly increased to 16. 34% in 2015, underlining the sector"s labor intensity despite productivity challenges. Syria"s persistent dependency on agriculture, underscored by 87. 53% of freshwater withdrawals dedicated to this sector, suggests potential opportunities in optimizing resource management. The decline in fertilizer use from 65. 42 kg/ha in 2009 to just 0. 75 kg/ha in 2015 highlights a significant area for intervention to boost yields. The forecast for Syria"s food market points towards the necessity of innovation and investment in sustainable farming practices and technology to reverse these trends and capitalize on untapped potential.

Aritral. com offers a platform that could be instrumental for stakeholders looking to navigate these challenges. As an AI-driven B2B solution, Aritral simplifies international trade in commodities and raw materials through services such as Product Listing, Direct Communication, and AI-Powered Marketing. These tools provide businesses with the means to enhance their global outreach and optimize trade processes, addressing the critical gaps identified in Syria’s food market.